Cry for end to bus standoff

As the standoff between UP and Delhi drags, residents are crying for an end to the row that has left commuters stranded, reports Kapil Datta.

As the standoff between Uttar Pradesh and Delhi drags, residents are crying for an end to the row that has left commuters stranded and at the mercy of private bus operators.

"Transport ministers of both states are playing into the hands of private transporters and are bent on crushing the state public transport system to benefit the private operators,” alleged Nawab Singh Nagar, local MLA. “They are insensitive to the commuters’ problems and both are as adamant as if the row was over the Indo-Pak border. They should reach a settlement soon to end the suffering of commuters," he said.

Delhi should not treat Noida on a par with other NCR towns, Nagar said, as only Noida has been allowing the DTC city bus fleet inside and had allotted land for a bus depot in Noida. “Greater Noida too had allotted land for the bus depot few years ago. Moreover, the Delhi STA permit Blueline buses have been allowed in Noida since 1984. Delhi should climb down from its stand and allow the Noida City fleet. However modalities could be worked out through negotiations," said Nagar.

Meanwhile, the new CNG bus fleet acquired by Noida has hit a hurdle. The buses cannot run even on intra city routes because of unavailability of CNG in Noida. The 19 buses have been lying at UPSRTC Depot in sector 35. IGL stopped supply to two CNG dispensing centres in Noida two months ago as the contract was given to the Adani group. Adani hopes to start the first CNG filling station in Noida only by December end.

Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, Regional Manager, P.R.Belwariar, said, “Till the matter was sorted out with Delhi, we had planned to use the CNG buses on intra city routes but due to unavailability of CNG in Noida these services too could not be started.”